Loose-leaf structure



July 23, 1940. SCHADE 2,209,284

LOO SE-LEAF STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 25, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 48 JBY fox/1v 501 405 W J I TOR YS July 22., 1940. SCHADE 2,209,284

LOOSE-LEAF STRUCTURE Filed Feb. '25, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORfa/ml fa/1,405

Patented July 23, 1940 2,209,284

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOOSE-LEAF STRUCTURE John Schade, Holyoke,Mass., assig'nor to National Blank Book Company, Holyoke, Mass, acorporation of Massachusetts Application February 25, 1939, Serial No.258,377

11 Claims. 1. 129-8) This invention relates to improvements in looseplate has a pair of guide members I2 and I3 leaf structures for holdinga pack or filler of loose each of which is in the form of an angularflange leaf sheets. The improvements are disclosed in secured to theplate as by the rivets I4. The their preferred form as applied to abinder of the upstanding arms of these flanges or guide mem- 5 typeshown in my prior Patent No. 1,990,136, of hers I2 and I3 end in rebentsections l5 and form 5 February 5, 1935. The features of the presentguideways to receive the upstanding arms of a invention have particularimportance in improvpair of angular flanges I6 and H which are simiingthe operation of the type of binder shown in larly attached to plate 6.As is plain from Fig. 7, said prior atent. Also, the arrangement of thehe fl ng I6 nd I1 h v goose n k x ensions various elements has certainadvantages which I8 which protrude beyond the inner turned up 10 willappear from the description and claims. ed e l9 Of Plate 6, and are p vas d c ed Since the construction and operation of the at is directly t0the tie bar 20 Of equalizer mechparts of the specific disclosure hereinare in some anism Consisting of a t bar 0 d n a respects quite similarto those fully described in h r levers 21 and 22 (see also Figs. 1, 2, 3and 6).

my prior patent, I will only show them in a gen- These gooseneckportions I8 are also provided 15 or l way a d confine th particulars ndd with slots 25 and rounded corners 26 so that the tailed description tothe new features. binder plates 5 a d 6 may be positioned as in Fi 1 thdrawings; 8 simply by separating them to theposition of Fig. 1 is a topplan view of the binder in closed i 7 d n rotating hem ar nd he piv tposition but with the covers broken away; between the tie bar 20 andgooseneck n- 20 Fi 2 i i of t binder of F'ig 1 but t sions. In this lastposition the back plates 5 and th parts in t reading position; 6 form aninverted V with the strip II on plate Fig. 3 shows the binder opened toits maximum 5 resting against h turned p edge I9 f pl e and ready to bepositioned to allow insertion or AS is explained in the earlier Pat ntreferred remove} f t to, this general position is the one in whichsheets 25 Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view, taken on line contained inthe prong Sets y be t 6011- 44 of Fig. 2, of the latching mechanismwhich Veniently inserted v dordinarily holds the binder in the readingposition on the Other nd, W th the parts p s d a of 2; in Fig. '7, theflat back plates 5 and 6 can. be slid 30 Fig. 5 is an enlarged view online 5-5 of Fig. 1 towards each other, the upstanding a ms of 30 showinghow certain of the parts are nested flanges and moving a ng thepassageways t th provided by flanges I2 and I3 with the flat back Fig 6is a sectional View on line 5 of Fig plates parallel to each other andin overlapping Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 1-1 of Fig. 3;relation- Fi 3 i i of t parts of Fig. 1 moved to During this lateralmotion, the back plates 5 35 the position in which the sheets may beinserted and 5 e constrained by the equalizer mechanism r removed;previously referred to as consisting generally of Fig. 9 is an aitematefor of structure which the tie bar 20, and long and short levers 2I andmay be used; 22. As appears from Figs. 1, 3 and 6, the long Fig. 10 is adetail sectional view on line I0I0 arm has a fixed pivot 30 at e end Onplate 40 of F1 g 9; 5 and at the other end a sliding pivot with tieFigs. 11 and 12 Show a further Variation of bar 20, this last pivotconsisting of a pin 3| which Structure which may be used; can slidealong a slot 32 cut in the upper end of Fig 13 is a View taken on line|3 |3 f Fig said tie bar. on the other hand, the short arm and 22 isfixedly pivoted to the center of long arm 2I 45 Fig. 14 is a detailsectional view on line 14-14 and lower end of the tie bar b p s 33 andof Fig. 4. 34, respectively. In passing from the fully closed Referringto Figs. 3 and '7, the binder consists position of the binder, ShOWn y:Fig- ,1, to the of flat back plates 5 and 6 with upstanding reading P o0f and finally t0 the fully flanges along their outer long edges towhich Opened POSitiOn of this equ zer mech- 50 flanges are attachedbinding prongs 1 and 8 and anism works like lazy tongs to positivelyassure covers 9 and I0. In addition, plate 5, for the sake that theupstanding arms of flanges I6 and I! of appearance, is provided with thedecorative cooperate smoothly with the passageways pro- 5 backing stripII. Along its narrow edges, this vided by flanges I2 and I3.

further detail.

' position of Fig. 2, presses on'the'thumb piece 45 of the slot 32 sothat the pins 3| and 34 are constantly in a longitudinal plane parallelto the long edges of the flat plate 5. As the separation of the plates 5and 6 is continued beyond the reading position, pins 3| and 34 stay inthe same longitudinal plane parallel to the long edges of the plate 5,and the plates are stopped at their fully spread position of Fig. 3 whenpin 3| reaches the inner end of slot 32.

A further description of this equalizing function is contained in theearlier patent referred to and this action will not therefore be goneinto in 'As is explained in the earlier patent, this type of binder isstored or filed with thepartsin the back-closed position shown by'Fig.1, while its normal reading position is that of Fig. 2,that is,"with theplates 5 and 6 displaced laterally. Thetposition of Fig. 8 is providedfor primarily to facilitate changing sheets. To insure that the bookwill not inadvertently be opened beyond the reading position, the latchshown in detail in Fig; 4 is used. As can be seen from that figure takenin conjunction with Figs. 1, 2 and 14, this latch consists of an Lshaped member 39 with 4 its long leg pivoted to theside of flange l1 andits'short leg overhanging the top edge of said flange. Clearance isprovided between the member' 39 and flange IT for passage of the flangeI3 attached to'plate 5. The short leg of this latch member 39 terminatesat its forward endin a thumb piece-4U overlying a depression 4| inflange I1, and the forward end of the long leg extends beyond the thumbpiece terminating in a toe 42.

This toe 42 passes through a slot 43 in flange 1|! and forms a stop foran abutment piece'44 formed on the lower edge of the rebent portion I5of flange I3. To open the book to the position of Fig. 8, the userseparates the plates 5 and 6 to the to move the latch downward (saidlatch being frictionally pivoted to normally retain the position towhich it is moved) so that the toe 42 clears'abutment 44 and thethumbpiece lies in depression-4|, and then separates the plates to theposition of Fig. 3 when the back plates can be pivoted as previouslydescribed. To again close the book, the plates are swung to the positionof Figs. 3 and 7 and forced laterally together to the position ofFig. 1. As soon as the top edge of the rebent section I 5 of'flange' I 3hits the thumb, piece 45 in the latch 3'3,'it will raise the latch tomake it effective to stop the opening of the book at the readingposition when the plates are again pulled laterally apart. 3

Referring now to Figs. 5, 7 and 8, when the binder is being closed afterinsertion or removal of sheets, the plates 5'and 6 must first bepositioned parallel to each otheras in Fig. 7 before any lateralpressure is exerted or the flanges l6 and I! will bind inthe passagewaysprovided by flanges I2 and I3. Therefore I form each gooseneck I8 with atoe 48 which protrudes as an extension of thegooseneck. As is apparentin Fig. 7, each toe lel and the top edge of flanges I6 and I1 are incontact with the under surfaces of the top of the U sections formed bythe rebent portions l5 of the flanges I2 and I3. This arrangementdetermines that the fiat plates are parallel and will therefore slideeasily over each other.

Of course, the rebent portions I 5 can be dimensioned so that in theabsence of toes 48 the top edges of flanges I6 andll adjacent thegooseneck portions will abut the inner top surface of the rebentportions when the plates 5 and 5 are parallel and thereby furnish astop. With such an arrangement there would be a great deal of strain onthe rebent portions with the structure shown. Therefore, by the use ofthe toe 43 the strain due to careless closing is removed from the rebentportion I5 and it is thus enabled to retain its shape.

Referring to Fig. 5, this toe in no way interferes with the closedposition of the binder, for the upstanding flange of plate 5 is slottedas indicated, and the toe 48 passes through this slot and may eitherrest against the cover 9 or, as indicated, be received by a recess cutin that cover.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3 and 6, certain specific advantages of thisparticular equalizer mechanism will be pointed out. In the first place,

the entire mechanism is contained between the.

. the binder.

Again, by using a short arm 22 and long arm 2| arranged as indicated andpreviously described, the mechanism can be folded to the position ofFig. 1 with all the pivot points located in a single longitudinal plane.If the short arm 22 were replaced by a long one similar to arm '2I andthis arm pivoted to plate 5 at the upper .end thereof, this pivot wouldintersect the plane of arm 2I (see Fig. 6) and prevent that arm 2i fromswinging to the position of Fig. 1. With this last arrangement, theopening and closing of the binder would be limited because of thelimited motion of the equalizer mechanism. Also, if a second long armwere used, tie bar 20 would necessarily have to be provided with a slotsimilar to slot 32 for the pin 34;, This of course would introduceadditional possibility of undesirable tolerances inthe moving partswhich might hamper the operation of the equalizer mechanism.

Considering the above, it will be seen that the equalizer mechanismperforms its function though its construction is extremely simple, and,for the purposes of my invention, is particularly apt. n the other hand,recalling an earlier part of the specification wherein the function ofthe toes 48 in the gooseneck portions I8 was discussed not, because ofthe strain put on them, be satisfaotorily used in conjunction with thetop edges of flanges l6 and IT to provide for the sole means to stop theplates and 6 in parallel relation when the book is closed from theposition of Fig.

8 to: that of Fig. 7. One solution of this is as follows. The flange canbe extended beyond the edge of the plate5 so'that the rebent-portions I5would overhang the flanges I6 and I1. However; something more isdesirable because the overhang would interfere with the upstanding prongcarrying flange on plate 6 in the closed position. In Figs. 9 and 10,this difliculty is solved by the structure illustrated. The rebentportion I5 is made so that its internal channel is oversize and aslipper 5D placed over the gooseneck I8 between that member and therebent portion. This slipper is pivoted at 20' to the tie'bar 20 and inturn the gooseneck portion is pivoted to the slipper at 50. While thegooseneck portion I8 has no protruding toe as in the preferred form, theforward end of the gooseneck has a flattened surface 53-which, in theposition of Fig. 9, serves as a bearing on the upper horizontal surfaceof the flanges I2 and I3. I As that figure shows, the forward end of theslipper 50 has an arm 5| which bears on the top of the flanges I6 and I1and this, in combination with the flattened portion 53, will form asatisfactory stopping means to arrest the plates 5 and 6 in parallelrelation. Comparison of the broken and full line positions of the flangeI6 in Fig. 9 will make the stopping action of this mechanism clear.Inasmuch as the slipper 50 is pivoted to the tie bar 20 and its heel 55does not protrude beyond this bar, no special provision is necessary toallow for the complete closing of the book when the plates 5 and 6 areslidtogether to the position of Fig. 1.

In the structure shown in Figs. 11 to 13, the slipper 58 which ispivoted to the tie bar 20 in the same manner as described above forslipper 50 has a longer heel 51 than that in Figs. 9 and 10, and thegooseneck portion I8 has a sliding pivot provided by the pin 59 and slot60. Also, the slipper is provided with a forwardly extending arm 62which is arranged to contact the upper surface of the horizontal arm offlanges I6 and I1. With the plates 5 and-'6 positioned ready to rotateabout pin 59 (see Figs. 11 and 13) said pin is located at the forwardend of slot 60 and the stopping means is provided by the flattenedportion 53 of the gooseneck I8 and the arm 62. Because of the length ofthe heel 51, this structure is very strong and effective in performing'the desired function.

When the plates 5 and 6 are being slid towards each other, the .pin 59first progresses to the end of slot 60 and then the slipper 58 begins tomove (see Fig. 12). At this time the vertical edge of the heel of theslipper is in line with the edge of the tie bar 20 so that, as with theprevious form of mechanism, no special provision to accommodatetheslipper is necessary in the completely closed position.

As is evident from the precedingdescription, my invention represents adefinite improvement in the loose leaf binder field for not only have Ibeen enabled by'its application to produce an exceedingly neat andcompact structure wherein the equalizing mechanism occupiessubstantially no more space than the necessary thickness of the backplates; but also this structure is much more easily handled,particularly during the closing of the book, after new sheets have beeninserted because of the provision of my novel stop mechanism forlimiting the rotation of the back plates to their parallel position.

One of the main features of the invention is in the means provided tobring the-parts at the book back into compact form and minimize the bulkat the back when the book is ready to be stored for use. Considering themeans provided in the back for the desired functional manipulationof thebook, it will be seen that they occupy little space. For example, theequalizer means is capable of collapsing into a narrow thin space; thepart-for bracing the telescoping halves is tucked away in a recess.Either one or both of these provisions definitely results in thefunctions '1. In a binder of the class described, the combination of oneshort and two long bars pivoted together as an equalizer mechanism andcollapsible for said bars to lie directly over one another,

a prong carrying back portion attached to one of said long bars forholding it permanently in right angle relation to the prongs on saidback portion, a second prongcarrying back portion in underlying andslidable relation to the first and towhich one end of the other long baris pivoted, said two back portions when in nested relation having thebars of said equalizer mechanism lying directly one over the other in anarrow space betweenthe outer edge of one and the inner edge of theother of said back portions, 'whereby the nesting of theback'portions'with the equalizer mechanism in collapsed position avoidsexcessive width of the binder back.

2. In a binder of the class described, two prong carrying back portions,each of which has end flanges, one pair fitting into the other forsliding movements, one pair having overhanging portions to provide forpivoting said back portions,

pivot means for the overhanging portions, extensions on said overhangingportions to give extra leverage forstopping .pivotal movement of v theback portions in one direction when parallel and ready to slide togethenrece'sses in one of the back portions vto receive said extensions at theend of their sliding movement in nesting the back portions.

3. A loose-leaf structure consisting of two back plates, complementaryguide means .on the plates for holding the plates while in overlappedand slidable relation, and equalizing means, operable by movement ofsaid plates, adapted to maintain the sides of the plates parallel asthey are moved to varying overlapped positions and to hold the plates inpivotal engagement when they are moved out of overlapped relation, saidequalizer means consisting of a combination of levers that at least inthe collapsed position lies between, the inner edge of one plate andouter edge of the other plate for the purpose described. 4. Aloosej-leaf structure consisting of two back plates, complementary guidemeans on the plates for holding the plates while in overlapped andslidable relation, and equalizing means, operable by movement of saidplates, adapted to maintain the sides of the plates parallel as they aremoved to varying overlapped positions and'to hold the plates in pivotalengagement when, they are moved out of overlapped relation, the guidemeans on one of said plates having additional means adapted to limit thepivotal movement of said plates in one direction to the parallelposition .of said plates when the plates are innon-overlape pingposition.

5. A loose-leaf structure consisting of two back plates, complementaryguide means onthe'plates :forrholding the plates while in-qoverlappedand slidablez relation, and Z'equalizingi means; opera:

ble by.move'ment ,of said plates, consisting of a combination. of{flat-levers. adapted to,.maintain the, sides of the; plates parallel astheyare moved to.- yarious overlappedpositions and :to' holdlithe platesin pivotal engagement when, they are tional means consisting of a memberprotruding.

moved out offioverlapped relation, the guide meanslon one of said plateshaving additional means; adapted :to limit the pivotal movement of saidplates in one direction to the parallel po-' sition: of said plates whenthe plates are in non overlappingposition; r 1 r 6.-The structure ofclaim 5 with said gaddifrom the guidegmeans on one plate and resting ona horizontalp'art ofthe binder andoverlying the other plate when saidplates are parallel.

, 7.,A loose-leaf structure consisting of two back plates, complementaryguide means on the plates for holding the plates while" in overlappedand slidablerelati'on, and equalizing means, operable :by movement ofsaid plates, consisting of a :cornbination'of flat levers adapted tomaintain the sides of the plates parallel as theyare moved tofivarying;overlapped positions and to hold the i member resting on a horizontalpart ofthe binder a'ndoverlying, the other plate hensaid plates. areparallel and in pivotedrelation andnested' plates ,in pivotal engagementwhen they are moved: out, 'of overlapped relation, the guide 1 means onone of said plates having a protruding within a recess infsaid binderbeyond "the edge ofssaidguidemeans when the plates are overlapped totheir maximum, all for described. 1

[8. A loose-leaf structure consisting of two rec the purpose tangularback plates, complementary guide :means onthe plates along the upper.and lower edges for holding theplates during overlapped and slidablerelation; and equalizing means, operable by movement of said plates,adapted .to maintain the sidespfthe plates parallel as they are: movedto varying'overlapped positions and tothold the plates in: pivotedengagement when they'are moved out of overlapped relation,fsaidequalizer I means consisting of a tie bar with its longfaxis' parallelto the sideedges of the plates and pivoted about this'axis at eachend tothe guide means 7 associated with one of the plates, a long lever armpivoted .at one end to the tie bar adjacent one end of said tie bar, andat the other'end,-to

anouter corner of therother plate at the end of said plate which isremote 'f'rom said pivot on said tie bar,,one' of saidjlonglever armpivots being fixed and the-other sliding, andfa short arm fixedlypivoted to, the midpoint of the longarm andto the other:end-ofxthetiebar all for, the

purposedescribed. 1 ,9. A looseleaf:.structure consistingofrtwoflatrectangular back plates in overlapped,-relation,

said upper plate having upstan-ding'flanges at each end with=gooseneckportions of the flanges extending beyond theinner' side edge of saidplate, said lower plate having complementary upstanding flanges at eachend with a rebent porof said plates-parallel as they aremoved tovarying-overlappedi positions jand to hold the plates tion ,under whichsaid first mentioned flanges slide, equalizer mechanism, operable bymove,-

m'ent of saidplates, pivoted tosaidgooseneck portions and adapted tomaintain the side edges in pivotal engagement whenthey'are moved out ofoverlappedrelation, but with the gooseneck portions still within, therebent portions, each gooseneck portion having a protruding toe adaptedto bear on a horizontal binder part when the plates are parallel all forthe purpose described.

10. A loose-leaf structure consisting of two I flat rectangular backplates in overlapped relation, said upper platehaving upstanding flangesat each end with gooseneck portions of the flanges lower edge, a,U-shaped slipper pivoted in inverted .positionovervthetop edge of eachof said gooseneck-portions and having at the forward end an integral armextended and overlapping the. upper edgeof the flange back of thegoose"- neck portio'nvwith the heel of saidslippersubstantiallyflushwith the forward end of said gooseneck portion,said lowerv plate having upstanding flanges at each end with rebentportins':un.der whichflsaid slippers slide, equalizer mechanism,operable by movementof said plates, pivoted to said; slippers andadapted tor maintain theside edges of said platesparallel as they aremoved to varyingoverlapped .positions andto hold the plates in pivotalengagementwhen they aremoved out .of overlapped relation but with theheels of the slippersstill within the rebent portions, said flatportions of said g ooseneck's beingadapted to bear on ahorizontal-binder part on said lower plate and said extended arms ofsaid'slippers to bear: on said flanges on said 3g upperplate. when thepl'ates'are; parallel, all for the purpose described,

. 11. A loose-leafi structure consisting of two' flat rectangular backplatesin overlapped relation,.said upperplate having upstanding flanges"at each end with gooseneck portions of the extending beyondthev innerside edge of said plate and each having a flat surface along its flangesextending beyondthe inner side edge of said plate and each having a flatsurface along its loweredgega ,U-sha'ped slipper pivoted in I invertedposition over the'top edge'of eachof said gooseneck portionsfand havingat the for-'- ward end an-integral arm extending and overlying thesurface of said upper plate back of the 'goosene'ckiportion, said lowerplate. having upstanding flanges at each endKWith rebentportions underwhich said slippers slide, equalizer mechanism, operable by movement ofsaid plates, pivoted to said slippers and adapted' to maintainthesideedges of said plates parallel as theyare moved to varyingoverlapped positions and to holdFthe plates in pivotalengagement whenthey are moved out of overlapped position but withthe heels of theslippersstill withintherebent portions, said flat portions of saidgoosenecksbeing adapted tobear on .iaihorizontal "binder part on.

the lower .plate and the extended arms of the slippersto-bearonahorizontal part of said up-- periplate whenvv the plates are parallelintheir non-overlapping position, the pivots between the slippers andgooseneck: portions each being in Join: SCHADE.

